Ishaq Dar Reaches Kabul for Landmark Railway Agreement

KABUL (RNN TV) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar arrived in Kabul on Thursday to formalise a trilateral railway agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

The agreement marks a key step in the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Project, which aims to establish a strategic rail corridor linking Uzbekistan to Pakistan via Afghanistan. The initiative is designed to enhance connectivity, facilitate access to Pakistani seaports for Central Asian states, and boost regional trade and economic integration.

According to the Foreign Office, DPM Dar will witness the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Joint Feasibility Study for the UAP Railway Project. He is accompanied by Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi, the special representative for Afghanistan, and the secretary of railways.

In a prior statement, the Foreign Office highlighted that the visit reflects Pakistan’s commitment to the successful execution of the UAP project, which is expected to contribute to regional stability, development, and economic growth.

During his visit, Dar is also scheduled to meet Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister and call on the acting Prime Minister to discuss bilateral ties and exchange views on regional and global developments.

In a recent diplomatic move, Pakistan upgraded its Chargé d’Affaires in Kabul to ambassador-level in May, signalling improved relations with the neighbouring country.

Earlier this month, Islamabad and Kabul concluded the inaugural session of the additional secretary-level mechanism, agreeing to enhance legal cross-border movement and deepen cooperation in areas such as trade, transit, security, and connectivity. Both sides acknowledged terrorism as a critical threat to regional peace and stability.